The Ghana Chamber of Mines is urging the government to strike a fair and sustainable balance in its mining fiscal policies—one that delivers greater benefits to the country without hurting investment or long-term growth in the sector.
Speaking for the industry, the Chamber’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth Ashigbey, said mining companies understand and support the government’s push to secure more value from Ghana’s mineral resources. However, he cautioned that some of the proposed measures could make operations more expensive and discourage new investment.
“Our members are not against the government seeking better returns for Ghanaians, and we appreciate the logic behind a sliding-scale system,” Mr Ashigbey explained. “What we are asking for is a sweet spot—where the state earns steady and growing revenue for development, while mining companies are still able to expand, reinvest, and take advantage of the current high gold prices. As it stands, the proposal doesn’t quite achieve that balance.”
The Chamber welcomed ongoing discussions between the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and industry players, describing open and constructive dialogue as essential to shaping policies that boost national gains without weakening Ghana’s appeal as a mining destination.
At present, large-scale mining firms in Ghana pay a 5% royalty on gross revenue, a 3% Growth and Sustainability Levy, a 35% corporate income tax, as well as other charges, including an 8% tax on dividends and a 10% free carried interest for the state. The Chamber warned that increasing royalties to a sliding range of 5% to 12% could significantly raise costs and slow down investment.
Mr Ashigbey also addressed proposals to scrap Stability and Development Agreements, noting that while the Chamber supports reviewing these arrangements, abolishing them outright could create uncertainty in an industry that depends on long-term, capital-intensive investments.
In closing, the Chamber stressed that a transparent, competitive, and sustainable fiscal regime is crucial—not only to maximise national benefits, but also to protect jobs, encourage resilience, and ensure the continued growth of Ghana’s mining industry.